Don't forget to protect your chrome!

[Slats]

Waxing Chrome?

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for the helpful write up. I have used wax on chrome for years and always seem to get good results. However, I found an article online a while back that warned against it. Your post reminded me of this, so I found the article and was hoping you or Mike could take a quick look and give your input....

http://www.goodspeedmotoring.com/?page=exteriorcontinued&extrimsel=1#CHROME

Mike's responce may have already addressed this issue but I'm not sure. Basically the site is saying that waxing chrome trim like your Pilot has will cause pitting, so that's why I'm concerned.

Thanks in advance!

Slat

[Slats]

er "Slats" I meant. It's Slats, not Slat.....well that's not really my name.....nevermind.....

SlatS

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Waxing Chrome?

Originally posted by Slats
Hi Lynn,

Thanks for the helpful write up. I have used wax on chrome for years and always seem to get good results. However, I found an article online a while back that warned against it. Your post reminded me of this, so I found the article and was hoping you or Mike could take a quick look and give your input....

http://www.goodspeedmotoring.com/?page=exteriorcontinued&extrimsel=1#CHROME

Mike's response may have already addressed this issue but I'm not sure. Basically the site is saying that waxing chrome trim like your Pilot has will cause pitting, so that's why I'm concerned.

Thanks in advance!

Slat

Hi Slat,

I'm not sure how chrome breathes.

If the chrome is clean, and you maintain it often, (Washing when it gets dirty), this will maintain chrome. It's only when chrome is neglected and exposed to the elements does it deteriorate.

I know wax is anti-corrosive by its very nature and applying a thin coating of wax over clean chrome would in most cases do more to preserve it than cause it to deteriorate.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion...

Let's remember that Lynn started this thread out on the importance of protecting normal chrome, and to do this, Meguiar's introduced their new NXT Generation All Metal Polysh



This brand new formula includes an anti-corrosion ingredient. This thread started out as a question about clear coated chrome, and now we're talking about regular chrome, or un-coated chrome. Now that we've come full circle and were now talking about a metal surface again, instead of applying a car wax, consider applying a metal polish that contains anti-corrosion technology.

Mike

[TOGWT]

Information source:

http://www.goodspeedmotoring.com/?p...rimsel=1#CHROME

Quote:
CHROME: Exterior chrome plated parts are very easy to maintain. For normal cleaning, use glass cleaner. Spray into a towel and wipe to remove grime. Follow with a clean towel and burnish to a streak free gloss. To remove soiling build-up or water spots, clean surface with a chrome or metal polish or a glass polish that is friendly to chrome. NEVER USE WAX ON CHROME SURFACES. Wax will seal the surface, and will not allow the plating to breath. This will cause pitting and destruction to the surface. Wipe with a towel, and burnish with a clean towel. Clean paint edges carefully to avoid polish getting on adjacent surfaces. Masking tape will work nicely. Finish using glass cleaner as described above. EOQ.

~One man’s opinion / observations~

One more chrome myth, thanks
The sad things is that as this is written by an ‘expert’ on a computer site Joe Average will believe and act upon it (good news only for chrome re-plating companies)

Websites are an invaluable source of information but you have to be selective in who/what you choose to believe. We are all very fortunate to have forums like Meds, Autopia, and a select few others with ‘been there/done that’ contributors who deal in facts and not fiction

~Hope this helps~

Knowledge unshared is experience wasted [each one / teach one]
justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ JonM

[TOGWT]

Chrome:
Decorative chrome plating is sometimes called nickel-chrome plating because bright chrome plating always involves plating nickel before plating the chrome. The nickel provides the reflectivity and most of the corrosion resistance. The chrome plating is exceptionally thin, measured in millionths of an inch rather than in thousandths

Chrome plating process-
1.Remove all paint and primers
2.First stage polishing- brings the lip and outer edge area to a high lustre
3.The wheels then go through various rinses to remove all polishing compounds.
4.Copper plate-unique to aluminum, copper helps fill any porosity in the casing
5.Semi-bright nickel- an important step for corrosion resistance and plating coverage
6.Auxiliary anode-are used prior to placing the wheel in the final solution bath, the anode assures complete and even coverage
7.Chrome plate- this is the final step of the plating process
8.Final rinse- to remove any remaining compounds

Chrome plating does not breath, nor does it need to, but it does need to be protected from the elements otherwise it will fail

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by TOGWT
Chrome plating does not breath, nor does it need to, but it does need to be protected from the elements otherwise it will fail

Thank you for posting this insightful information on Chrome.



Mike

[Slats]

Makes sense....Thanks

Slats

[manueljlg]

What are the differences between NXT All Metal Polish and Mirror Glaze All Metal Polish?

[the_dog]

Re: Don't forget to protect your chrome!

I know I'm reviving an ancient thread, but what product would you recommend for cleaning plastic chrome trim (like on grills and door handles) and what to protect it? The mag chloride they use out here in Colorado seems to cause a lot of pitting in chrome trim.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Don't forget to protect your chrome!

Old thread indeed!!!

Sometimes the chrome over plastic trim pieces can be quite thin and much more delicate than chromed metal. If it's really pitted then you might not be able to fully restore the finish, so keep that in mind. Still, a bit of Hot Rims Chrome Polish would be our go to product, but start out easy with it and work up in aggression as needed. If after a few applications the pitting is still there, you may have to live with it (although the overall appearance should be much better). Protection can be with any quality wax or sealant should be done regularly.